To help meet future water demand, avoid water shortage, and reduce our dependence on potable water, the City has built a reclaimed water system to provide irrigation water in several areas of Panama City Beach.  Reclaimed water is produced by the advanced treatment of wastewater collected from homes and businesses. 

Reclaimed Water Uses
Landscape irrigation is the only approved use of reclaimed water within City of Panama City Beach. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection sets the standards for required levels of treatment and uses for reclaimed water. These standards are included in the Florida Code of Regulation, Title Chapter 62-610.

Rules and Regulations
There are extensive rules and regulations covering reclaimed water usage. These include proper signage and making sure all pipes, sprinkler heads, meter boxes and other irrigation equipment are marked or color-coded. The City’s Cross-Connection personnel will work with customers to ensure they are in compliance with all state and local regulations.

 Steps for Using Reclaimed Water

• Verify if your location can receive reclaimed water.
• Customers sign a user agreement to comply with the rules and regulations for reclaimed water use. To receive reclaimed water, there must be an in-ground irrigation system with a rain gauge (required per Florida Statute 373.62) or hose bib in a locked box. A backflow device must be installed on the potable water supply. After connecting to a reclaimed water source, use of potable water for irrigation purposes will not be allowed.
• Commercial projects with meter sizes larger than 2 inches will need authorized representatives to submit irrigation system design drawings to the City for review, approval, and pay the appropriate plan review fee. A conceptual drawing of the customer’s site is required for approval by the City of Panama City Beach.
• The City will determine the fee for installing the appropriate sized meter. Once fees have been paid, the City will schedule installation. An annual inspection or cross-connection control test will be required by the City for each reclaimed water service.  Customers will receive written notification via mail before the inspection date.

Please note: You will need to contact the Cross Connection Division at (850) 233-5054, ext. 2403 to schedule an inspection to verify all of the above requirements are met. Service will not be initiated until a satisfactory inspection is completed.